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Steelers fire offensive line coach Bicknell after just one season

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posted:
01/03/2014 03:37:49 PM EST

Updated:
01/03/2014 03:38:04 PM EST

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers have fired offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. after just one season.

The Steelers (8-8) struggled to find any kind of continuity on the line. Perennial Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey went down in the season opener with a knee injury. Pittsburgh ended up using four different players at the position, part of a unit that used 10 different starting combinations in 16 games.

Kelvin Beachum provided some stability at left tackle, but former second-round picks Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert regressed. Pittsburgh finished 27th in the league in rushing and 29th in yards per carry.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 42 times, though only 10 times over the final six games as the team went to a no-huddle offense.